The application to the Department for Transport (DfT) for the powers to enforce moving traffic offences requires a number of actions to have been completed prior to submission. A key part of these actions is a six-week public consultation on the suitability of the sites proposed for automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera enforcement. This report is to consider the results of the consultation and agree which sites to take forward as part of the application to DfT.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 12/07/2023
Decision due: Not before 20 Jul 2023 by Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene and Flooding
Lead member: Cllr Caroline Thomas caroline.thomas@wiltshire.gov.uk
Department: Highways & Transport
Contact: Joanne Heal, Network Manager Email: Joanne.Heal@wiltshire.gov.uk Email: joanne.heal@wiltshire.gov.uk Tel: 01225 713276.
Consultation process
The public consultation exercise on the suitability of the six sites proposed ran from 17 May 2023 to 28 June 2023. Feedback was captured via a survey which was available on the Wiltshire Council website: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-mte . Hard copies of the survey were also available on request.
The survey invited all stakeholders to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with the proposal to use ANPR enforcement at each site and gave the opportunity for further comments on the individual sites and also asked for any recommendations for future locations for ANPR enforcement. A copy of survey is attached at Appendix 2 to this report.
The survey was launched with a press release, social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter, and publication in the Members’ newsletter, the Town and Parish newsletter and the Residents’ newsletter, which is sent to approximately 27,000 Wiltshire residents. The news was featured on BBC Wiltshire, which went to Bradford on Avon to interview Cllr Caroline Thomas, and in the Wiltshire Times, BBC News, Swindon Advertiser, Salisbury Journal and other local media.
Background
Six potential sites that were likely to benefit from ANPR enforcement were identified by officers. A public consultation exercise on the suitability of these sites was carried out via an online survey from 17 May to 28 June 2023.
The consultation survey provided details of the planned civil enforcement of moving traffic contraventions, including the types of restrictions to be enforced and the locations. It is important to note that the consultation was on the suitability of the proposed sites for ANPR enforcement and not on the principle of Wiltshire Council applying for moving traffic enforcement powers.
The survey was launched with a press release and social media campaign and was published on the Wiltshire Council website. The survey invited all stakeholders to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with the proposal to use ANPR enforcement at each site and gave the opportunity for further comments on the individual sites and also asked for any recommendations for future locations for consideration.
Summary of responses
· A total of 595 online survey responses and 4 hard copy responses were received.
· Alongside the agree / disagree option, each respondent had the opportunity to provide additional comments on all six sites, therefore enabling a maximum of 3,600 comments. Not every respondent replied to all questions.
· A total of 2,882 responses were received to the agree/ disagree section. Of which 1,990 were in support and 892 disagreed with the proposals. An additional 1,148 comments were received across all sites.
· All proposed sites received a majority level of support.